Empowering 'Solar Didis'

India's coal-mining states would benefit greatly from a distributed solar programme for rural wommented in states such as Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to ensure a just transition to a net-zero economy.

This programme would provide 20 to 30 million women interest-free loans to buy 10 kw solar panels connected to the power grid. State distribution companies (discoms) would continue to pay market-based feed-in tariffs for the electricity generated. Solar panels would enable each Solar Didi to earn over 2,000 in monthly income as well as receive 100 units of free electricity. An entire ecosystem, employing millions of people, would be created to manufacture, install, and service these rural panels.

India has several states that are dependent on the coal economy. These states will be impacted deeply by the net-zero transition. Rural households in these states eke out a difficult living and are dependent directly and indirectly on income generated from coal mining. Many farmers do not have irrigated fields and are dependent on non-farm income to survive. Most marginal communities do not own any farmland and work as rural labourers or practise traditional crafts. Rural women have to supplement their household farming income with various other activities such as rearing goats and cows, selling country liquor, and making handicraft items such as bamboo baskets. Despite ceaseless labour, the median rural household income in states like Jharkhand is ₹6,000-7,000 per month.

Various government programmes have targeted rural poverty by seeking to increase women's incomes.